Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The 2022 blend draws 80% of its fruit from Gualtallary at 1,200 metres and 20% from Finca Los Nobles in Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo, at 1,020 metres. Chalky and mineral nuances form part of the wine’s aromatic profile.
Grapes
Latest published vintage (2022): 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec.
Vinification
The grapes are destemmed and transferred by gravity into small oak vats, limiting damage to the berries. A cold soak of three to five days precedes fermentation, which takes six to eight days. Extraction is managed through very gentle manual punch-downs. Following alcoholic fermentation, skin contact continues for one to three weeks, with the duration determined by seed maturity and the wine’s development in contact with the solids.
Each lot is run off separately and transferred directly into 500-litre barrels or large 2,000–5,000-litre vats.
Ageing
Maturation takes place in French oak barrels and vats. The technical sheet’s summary specifies 12 months, while the detailed vinification text gives an average of 12–14 months. The final blend is assembled after maturation and bottled, followed by at least one year of bottle ageing before release.
Technical data
For the 2022 vintage: 14.1% alcohol, 5.33 g/L total acidity, pH 3.59 and 2.69 g/L residual sugar. Pablo Cúneo is the winemaker; Alberto Arizu Sr and Mauricio Gudiño are the agronomists.
Tasting profile
Deep, dark red. The intense, pure nose combines blackberry, cassis and blueberry with black pepper, rosemary, chalk, mineral notes, cedar and restrained toast. The palate is vibrant and richly flavoured, with a smooth texture, fine tannins and a long, fruit-driven finish.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 14–16°C.
Label / history
León pays tribute to Leoncio Arizu, the winery’s founder. His pioneering belief in Cabernet Sauvignon’s potential in Mendoza led him to establish the variety in the continental climate beside the Andes more than 120 years ago. The wine reflects his vision, conviction and enduring legacy.